Package for convection heating of food

Abstract

A heating system for heating food provides a heated forced air source and a food package including an air circulating bag for convection heating of the food. The food package can include an interior food storage pouch which is not exposed to direct impingement by the circulating air preventing cooking oils or smoke from the mixing with the circulating air flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A package for shipping of food and convection heating of the food when connected to a source of heated forced air comprising: a flexible sheet folded into a bag having sealed top and bottom ends and having at least a first pleated edge connecting the top and bottom ends to allow expansion of the bag;   a charge of food within the bag;   a perforation running substantially parallel and adjacent to the sealed top end allowing removal of the sealed to end to provide a partially openable top end for temporary attachment to an outlet from the source of forced heated air for admitting forced air to the bag to form a plenum;   exhaust holes in the sheet sized to provide a partially restricted outlet for air from the plenum and positioned with respect to the top end to allow circulation of forced air through the plenum; and   a removable tape for closing the exhaust holes.   
     
     
       2. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein the partially openable top end has a circular shape for fitting around an outlet. 
     
     
       3. The package as defined in claim 2 wherein the exhaust holes are disposed substantially adjacent the bottom end of the bag. 
     
     
       4. The package of claim 3 wherein the bag is constructed of paper. 
     
     
       5. The package of claim 2 and further comprising a pouch for holding food disposed within the bag. 
     
     
       6. The package of claim 5 wherein the pouch has a bordering edge and is fixed along a substantial portion thereof to the interior of the bag for dividing the plenum into first and second chambers. 
     
     
       7. The package of claim 6 wherein the pouch is positioned so that the first chamber begins adjacent the top end. 
     
     
       8. The package of claim 7 wherein the exhaust holes are spaced from the bottom end and connect the second chamber of the plenum to the exterior of the bag. 
     
     
       9. The package of claim 8 and further comprising openings between the first and second chambers adjacent the bottom end of the bag defining a circulation route through the plenum beginning with the first chamber and leading to the second chamber. 
     
     
       10. The package of claim 9 wherein the pouch is constructed of an expansible sheet material which is a good conductor of heat. 
     
     
       11. The package of claim 10 wherein the pouch material is aluminum foil.